CMH clients appeal

Despite the lack of a quorum at Tuesday’s monthly Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County meeting, a group of about a dozen adults with developmental disabilities showed up to question a reduction in the hours of service they receive from the agency.

It marks the second consecutive month CMH clients have attended the monthly board meeting to express concern about a 25 percent, across-the-board cut in services.

Those impacted by the potential cuts have an option to file an appeal, a course of action taken by 28 people.

Because the appeals are in a holding pattern, the clients are maintaining services at their previous level and will remain in place until the appeal process concludes.

CMHSAS executive director Liz O’Dell acknowledged the concerns. She reminded the clients however, that the fate of the appeals is not in her hands, as the appeal process is done at the state level in Lansing.